Political Change and Mahamasthakabhisheka has to Relation: Charukeerthi Bhattarakhji

Political Change and Mahamasthakabhisheka has to Relation: Charukeerthi Bhattarakhji

Political Change and Mahamasthakabhisheka has to Relation: Charukeerthi Bhattarakhji

Shravanabelagola, January 31, 2006: Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji the pontiff of the Shravanabelagola Jain Mutt, on Monday brushed aside arguments and theories that Mahamastakabhisheka has always heralded in political change.
He was speaking to media persons atop the Vindhyagiri hills after paying homage at the boulders bearing the footprints of Ganga Dynasty’s Commander-in-chief Chavundaraya, who was instrumental in getting the huge monolith of Bahubali sculpted.
“I will never accept the argument that there has always been a political change whenever Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations are conducted. Such an argument is irrational and irrelevant. Preparations for a Mahamastakabhisheka begins nearly three and a half years before the actual celebrations commence whereas in today’s political climate, change can occur any time,” the Swamiji said.
He conceded that the political uncertainty in the State and the changes at the Centre prevented the Mutt from going ahead with some programmes featuring the Karnataka and Union ministers. But, this has not impacted the rituals and the mass dharmic programmes in any way.
“Ever since the President inaugurated the Celebrations on January 22, 2006, the programmes have been going on smoothly and activities such as Mathru Vandana drew huge crowds. Leaving out today, with hardly a week left for the celebrations to commence on February 8, the celebrations are picking up momentum,” he said.Regrets for delay in train services: However, he regretted that delay in inauguration of the train services from Shravanabelagola, and urged the Union Railway Ministry to commence the train services from February 4 in time for the Panchakalyana festival with many looking forward to reaching Shravanabelagola this time around in train from different parts of the country.Officers Meeting: On the officers meeting held on Monday, the Swamiji said it has been decided to accord top priority to power, water supply and sanitation, and directions have been issued to various officers and conveners of different sub committees to work in close liaison with each other and complete the works in time for the celebrations without further delay.Swamiji Offers Pooja to the Chavundaraya’s Foot Prints: Earlier Swamiji offered pooja to the foot prints of Chavundaraya atop the Vindhya Giri Hills on a group of boulders onto the right of Bahubali statue. With the boulder being narrow and steep only few Acharyas and the Swamiji conducted the pooja while others Acharyas led by Acharya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaj watched the proceedings from the platform built around Bahubali statue.
The Swamiji said Chavundaraya supervised the sculpting of Bahubali monolith astride the boulder and during the later part of his life, Chavundaraya decision to lay down arms, renounce his life as commander-in-chief, threw his arms into Kalyani Lake and undertook penance atop the same boulder where he attained Sallekhana-Samadhi. “In a sense Chavundaraya, emulated the life of the Bahubali-his inspiration- during the later part of his life,” Swamiji said.
On Wednesday, a silver chariot would be offered to Bhagawan Bahubali and Shantinath Memorial Bhavan will be inaugurated by Acharya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Munimaharaj. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)

Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka – 2018

Mahamasthakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony is performed once in 12 years to the 57 feet high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola. The event is being be held under the leadership of His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of Shravanabelagola from 17th-25th February 2018.